Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it?

Spiritual disciplines are activities that open us to God’s transforming love and the changes that only God can bring about in our lives. Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a “rule of life” that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines, this book takes you more deeply into understanding seven key disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life. Each chapter includes exercises to help you begin the practices—individually and in a group context. The final chapter puts it all together in a way that will help you arrange your life for spiritual transformation.

The choice to establish your own sacred rhythm is the most important choice you can make with your life.

978-0-8308-7829-1

Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence

by Ruth Haley Barton

Winner of a Christianity Today 2005 Book Award!

To seek to fill a book with words about moving beyond words into solitude and silence is a daunting task; it is laughable really, if one sees the irony in it all. I have found myself . . . drawn to the task and yet somehow strangely resistant. On the one hand, I have been drawn to the task because my journey into solitude and silence has been the single most meaningful aspect of my spiritual life to date. . . . On the other hand, I am aware of the continuing challenge solitude and silence represent in my own life. Even though it has been well over ten years since I first said yes to God’s invitations to enter more intentionally into these disciplines, I still find it challenging to protect space for these times apart which so deeply satisfy the empty places of my soul.

Ruth Haley Barton describes how she has discovered the real presence of God—the God who is present through the practice of solitude and silence. Her book invites you to meet God deeply and fully outside the demands and noise of daily life. It is a call to the adventure of spiritual transformation—an adventure that will lead you to freedom and authenticity, allowing you to become the person God created you to be.

In Invitation to Solitude and Silence Barton offers spiritual guidance for your journey, helping you to hear God's call more clearly and showing you concrete ways to say yes. Chapter by chapter she combines teaching and reflection on different aspects of the journey with activities and disciplines that will help you to practice solitude and silence. Barton offers the prophet Elijah as a biblical guide for your journey. And she offers her own perspective to help you understand the ups and downs you might experience along the way.

The beauty of a true invitation is that you really do have a choice. You can say yes or no. God is waiting for you to respond to him from the depths of your desire for relationship, belonging and transformation. Will you say yes?

978-0-8308-7575-7

Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups

by Ruth Haley Barton

2013 Logos Book of the Year in Spirituality/Devotional!!

Meetings can sap our energy, rupture community and thoroughly demoralize us. They can go on forever with no resolution. Or they can rush along without consensus just to “get through the agenda.” What if there was another way?

Church boards and other Christian leadership teams have long relied on models adapted from the business world. Ruth Haley Barton, president of the Transforming Center, helps teams transition to a much more suitable model—the spiritual community that discerns God’s will together.

In these pages you will discover personal and group practices that will lead you into a new way of experiencing community and listening to God together.

978-0-8308-6978-7

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry

by Ruth Haley Barton

“I’m tired of helping others enjoy God.”

“I just want to enjoy God for myself.” With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership explores topics such as

• responding to the dynamics of calling
• facing the loneliness of leadership
• leading from your authentic self
• cultivating spiritual community
• reenvisioning the promised land
• discerning God’s will together

Each chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead.

978-0-8308-6963-3

Longing for More: A Woman’s Path to Transformation in Christ

by Ruth Haley Barton

In the quiet places of your heart, do you ever yearn for something more?

Many Christian women, if we are honest, feel discontented about aspects of our lives. Some of us long to be married, while others long to escape from marriage. Some of us struggle with our roles in the church, wondering why God would give us gifts that are not allowed to flourish. Some of us feel we have no voice. Others of us have no idea what we would say if we did.

Ruth Haley Barton believes that what lies underneath all our confusion is a longing for freedom—not the freedom to do as we please, but the freedom to discover our full identity in Christ and use our gifts to serve God.

With wisdom and charity Barton’s exhilarating book explores the many areas of a woman’s life that need the freeing touch of Christ such as vocation, relationships, spirituality, identity, sexuality, singleness, marriage and motherhood. Avoiding both feminist and fundamentalist trappings, she affirms our longings as important markers which point us toward God’s renewing love. Barton’s honesty, biblical insight, practical examples and loving encouragement combine to form a powerful, empowering book that will transform the way you live out your identity and purpose in God’s kingdom.

978-0-8308-6720-2

About the Transforming Center

Our Desire: We desire to see churches become communities of authentic spiritual transformation.

Our Mission: We seek to shape and care for the souls of clergy, ministry leaders and the congregations they serve.

Our Method: Through retreats, our two-year Transforming Community experience, leadership training and development, and congregational events, we

• teach spiritual disciplines and guide you in establishing life rhythms that will foster your own spiritual transformation
• provide a safe experience in community where you are known and cared for
• teach skills and provide resources that will empower you to lead your congregation in becoming a spiritually transforming community
• offer teaching and guidance in personal and community discernment, helping you uncover God’s intimate leading in your life and congregation
• consult with you in developing an approach to spiritual formation for your church, denomination or ministry

Sign up for your free subscription to eReflections, which provides spiritual direction for strengthening the soul of your leadership. Or join us for one of our upcoming retreats.

Visit us at www.thetransformingcenter.org. Or call us at 630.588.8133.